Latest news with #DepartmentofEnvironmentalHealth
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Don't swim near these San Diego-area beaches, officials say. Here's why
(Above: The video above explains the meanings behind different coastal water quality signs) SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — San Diego County health officials recently issued new water contamination advisories that affect recreational activities on local beaches. The county's Department of Environmental Health and Quality added beaches Mission Bay, Coronado and Cardiff to its list of places where the bacteria levels in the water exceed acceptable health standards. This San Diego beach is considered one of the most polluted in U.S.: report The list of San Diego-area beaches under water contact advisories as of Monday are listed below: Area Station Date Advisory Issued Del Mar San Dieguito River outlet (150 feet north and south) June 24 La Jolla La Jolla Cove Beachline June 24 Ocean Beach – Dog Beach San Diego River outlet to 300 feet south June 25 Silver Strand Shoreline From north Carnation to south of Avenida Lunar June 25 Mission Bay Tecolote Shores (swim area) June 27 Cardiff State Beach Charthouse Parking Lot (300 feet north and south) June 27 Cardiff State Beach San Elijo Lagoon outlet June 27 Coronado Avenida Lunar June 28 Coronado Coronado Lifeguard Tower June 29 The La Jolla Children's Pool has been under a 'chronic advisory' since September 1997. In addition, two areas along the coast remain closed to the public, both of which are in south San Diego County. The shoreline along the Tijuana Slough, which stretches from the U.S.-Mexico border to the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge, has been closed since Dec. 8, 2021, due to water contamination. Meanwhile, the Imperial Beach shoreline from the south end of Seacoast Drive through Imperial Beach Pier has been closed for the same reason since Jan. 18 of this year. The current status of beach and bay closures, warnings and advisories can be found on the county's Beach & Bay Water Quality Program website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
No Swimming Allowed at California Beach on Memorial Day
Residents of Coronado, California and its surrounding areas are having their fun in the sun limited by swimming bans at local beaches. On Saturday, San Diego County health officials announced the entire western shoreline of Coronado would be closed due to sewage contamination from the Tijuana River, an ongoing problem. "A water contact closure is issued when a sewage spill or chemical spill impacts ocean or bay waters," says the official San Diego County website. "Sewage/chemical contaminated water may contain chemicals or human pathogens that can cause ill health. The Department of Environmental Health & Quality (DEHQ) directs beach users to avoid contact with ocean and bay waters in the closure area." Other areas, like the Tijuana Slough shoreline, which has been closed since December 2021, and Imperial Beach (closed since January) and the Silver Strand (closed earlier this month), also remain shut down. "Beach goers are advised that the ocean water contains sewage and may cause illness," said the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality in a statement. According to CBS8, lifeguards were stationed on the affected beaches, giving the bad news to tourists hoping to get in the water. "So I drove three hours from L.A. to get in over here to these beaches," said Mario Espinosa. "Everyone talks about how wonderful the San Diego coast is, and look, we come to this beach and we can't even get into the water." The ongoing issues with water quality in the Coronado area have caused frustration for visitors and tourists and led the city to declare a state of emergency in order to hopefully inspire action. No Swimming Allowed at California Beach on Memorial Day first appeared on Men's Journal on May 26, 2025
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
L.A. Firefighters Show Elevated Lead and Mercury Levels After Wildfires
The Palisades and Eaton fires ravaged over 37,800 acres, demolished thousands of structures, and claimed lives. Crews from across California and beyond worked tirelessly to contain the flames and help displaced Angeles County Department of Public Health launched the L.A. Fire Health Study to investigate the long-term impacts of the wildfires. The study focuses on two main goals: examining present pollutants—their levels and changes over time—and determining if the fires correlate with health concerns among nearby after the fires began, Dr. Kari Nadeau, chair of the Department of Environmental Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, collected blood samples from 20 Northern California firefighters who assisted with the Palisades and Eaton initial testing revealed that these firefighters, who primarily fought burning trees rather than homes or vehicles, had lead levels five times higher and mercury levels three times higher than a control group. Long-term lead exposure can cause significant health problems, including lung issues, heightened Alzheimer's risk, and increased cancer doctors note that most L.A. residents didn't inhale the same concentration of toxins and ash as frontline firefighters, Nadeau's team plans to continue monitoring the initially tested firefighters, other first responders, and L.A. residents who were exposed to the fires."This was an environmental and health disaster that will unfold over decades," Nadeau and other specialists recommend residents avoid smoke to prevent inhaling particles from debris. When outside, wearing an N-95 mask offers protection."By bringing together experts from across multiple institutions and disciplines, we can rigorously examine the health effects from the wildfires' toxic particles and gases that have spread hundreds of miles beyond the fire zones and provide the communities with this information in real time," said Nadeau.
